Family day out in Oxford: University Museum of Natural History
I wonder why we don’t explore what’s on our doorstep? For years I lived in Oxford, but it took more than a decade after I left to visit the Pitt Rivers museum, and another 18 months to make it to the city’s natural history museum – despite it being free to enter.
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History, to give it its full name, was definitely worth the trip up the M40 though. It’s easy for kids to get up close to the exhibits and touching is actively encouraged where possible, plus I’m always looking for free things to do.
And there’s so much to see, even for short attention spans (toddlers, I mean you) in this ‘cathedral to science’ with its endless cabinets and displays under the huge soaring roof that it’s one of my favourite places to visit on a family day out in Oxford.
Famously the museum is home to a model dodo based on its original bird, and there’s a separate Alice in Wonderland themed display but for younger kids particularly there’s plenty that’s much more exciting.
From a stuffed crocodile to Mandy the Shetland pony near the entrance, just one of the touchable specimens, it’s great for children who love animals.
Equally fascinating – although more baffling to a two-year-old – is the collection of skeletons.
Minnie seemed happy with the concept we’re held together by bones, but distinctly unconvinced when I pointed out the bear, giraffe and elephants, especially as the latter didn’t have a trunk.
You can probably wander round in a sensible order but the layout also lends itself to dipping in and out of the various treasures – stopping at a case full of butterflies, or wandering past a meteorite that’s so many millions of years old I can barely comprehend it.
And then there’s the dinosaurs, of course, with some skeletons and bones, as well as a reconstruction of the vast megalosaurus and models. The museum has some great free kids’ trails with pencils and clipboard at the entrance and Minnie had huge fun attempting the dinosaur one.
It was left to me to spot the birds and find the mice tucked away in unexpected corners of the museum.
There are also cases of minerals, and information on some of their uses, as well as skeletons from various ancestors of modern humans. And so so much more.
Even the building is fascinating with statues of scientists and little alcoves to explore – there’s always something new to discover on each visit.
Need to know: Family day out in Oxford’s Natural History Museum
The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, although it does close on some public holidays. Admission is free. There are family-friendly events on Saturday and Sundays.
Buggies can be left in the porch outside, but you’re also welcome to bring them into the museum and there’s plenty of room. There’s also baby changing facilities.
You can’t eat inside the museum (although you’re welcome to picnic on the lawn outside) except in the cafe upstairs which has child-friendly options. It does get busy, but you’re also only a short walk from Oxford itself.
For more ideas of places to visit on a family day out in Oxford, there’s plenty for Harry Potter fans as well as the Botanic Gardens and Harcourt Arboretum, or discover some of the newer exhibits at the Oxford Natural History Museum from our return trip.
All images and video copyright MummyTravels
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Love the video. I didn’t realise they had a dodo there. Looking forward to visiting someday soon.
Thanks! Yes, they’ve got one of the few remaining intact dodos in the world – I think the one on display is a model now as the real one is so rare.
We went here some years ago and thought it was great too. Lovely to go to a natural history place and find it not chock a block with visitors!
Absolutely – even at a weekend it wasn’t too packed, so much more fun to wander.
That looks like a fun and educational day out, and to have it with free admission, too, is brilliant.
Absolutely, it always amazes me how many fantastic free museums there are around and this one is great for getting kids involved too.
What a wonderful place to visit….There looks so much to see and do there x
Thanks – there really is, I think we could have gone round again and discovered a whole set of new finds.
Love the Natural history museum in Oxford and Pitt Rivers. Remember them from my childhood, and now I’m taking N to see them.
It’s fun getting to revisit places with kids – I’m sorry I missed exploring the museums more when I lived there.
This looks a much more manageable size that Nat History in London, we will have to visit. #traveltales
Much more manageable, and really easy to dip in and out of with younger kids as well – the trails are such a great little idea.
This is one of our local museums too. Our kids love it but I prefer the dark hidden corners of Pitt Rivers instead! #traveltales
I do love the feeling you might stumble across almost anything in the Pitt Rivers!
Oh we do love the Museum of Natural History! It’s a regular outing for us. So much to discover even though the museum is relatively small. As you say, they do have great family activities too.
I can imagine there’s always something new to find, so many display cases and exhibits dotted around – definitely one I want to go back to as well.
My children would love this museum (especially the dinosaurs). I had absolutely no idea Oxford had it’s own natural history museum but it looks fantastic.
Thanks for linking to #traveltales – I’ve pinned this post to our pinterest board. Hope to see you next month 😀 – Sam x
My pleasure – and thanks for pinning. It’s a great day out if you’re around Oxford. 😀
I would love to bring my two – the entire family would love it! We haven’t braved London with them yet but we would like to soon. You got some amazing photos as well! #TravelTales
Thanks! Definitely an easier option to start before braving London – very manageable but so much to see.